Physicochemical Properties of Chitosan-Based Materials in Multiple Phases

Physicochemical Properties of Chitosan-based Materials in Multiple Phases: From Fundamentals to Biomedical, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Applications provides a comprehensive overview of structure diversity and versatile properties of chitosan as well as summarizes the latest advancements and current applications of chitosan-based materials suitable for various purposes within pharmaceutics, biomedicine, chemical engineering, and environmental sciences. The book explores the complex nature between chitosan structure and its biological activity and describes strategies of polymer modification in order to tailor its physicochemical and mechanical properties. The utilization potential of chitosan for the fabrication of functional biomaterials in either liquid, semi-solid, or solid-state different phases (aqueous mixtures, hydrogels, solid films) are also covered. Finally, the key factors important to obtain chitosan material suitable for biomedical applications and the characteristics of hybrid materials formed by chitosan and other components, including surfactants, polyelectrolytes, inorganic nanoparticles, are discussed.

• Explores innovative strategies for the fabrication of biomaterials based on chitosan
• Provides a comprehensive overview of most recent chitosan materials, from their manufacture stage, characteristics, and applications in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields
• Outlines the major opportunities and challenges of chitosan hybrid materials required for pharmaceutical, biomedical and environmental applications